Antibacterial meds are also called antibiotics and these are widely administered for treating infections caused by microbes. However, use of such drugs may not much effect on fungal infections or those caused by fungi. To make matters complex, infections caused by virus resemble a lot with those triggered by bacteria; it is essential to know when to consume antibiotics. In this light, must one take probiotics with antibacterial meds? It is important to know more on this.
Antibiotic meds are commonly administered for treating various kinds of infections caused by bacterial strands. These meds are used for management of infections in eyes, skin conditions caused by bacterial spread as well as a few infections of the gastric tract. If you are allergic or have known spells of hypersensitivity of antibacterial meds, your caregiving team must be made aware of all such prior conditions. Also, never take antibiotics if there is no infection; such usage may develop resistance among microbes and may make the drugs ineffective.
In the US, more than 190 million prescriptions are given every year for the consumption of antibiotics. No two individuals living with infections are given the same dosage plan. Your doses (and the duration of treatment) depend on a host of attributes such as body weight, age, gender, extent of bacterial infection and presence of other disorders / infections.
Should I use probiotics with antibiotic drugs?
There is recent interest in this topic i.e., co-administration of probiotics and antibiotics. Sizable amount of research work is underway on this domain. There is evidence on intake of probiotic and the reduction in side effects triggered by antibiotics, especially in children. For example, it has been observed that there has been a marked reduction in diarrhea / discharge of watery stool among children.
On the other hand, there is also some evidence on the counterproductive effects of this co-administration. A closed study done in Europe states: gastric health of people who took probiotic along with antibiotics took a longer time to revert to normal condition. Those who did not take this combination had to wait only for 3 or 4 weeks for normal health conditions to return. Advanced level of research is needed to arrive at a firm conclusion on the merits of this co-administration.
Pointers you need to stay aware of prior to the administration of antibiotic drugs
Every antibiotic drug is made to arrest a unique strand / select strands of bacteria. Hence, one form / version of antibiotic med must not be taken in an interchangeable fashion. There are however antibiotic drugs with wider treatment capabilities. Such meds are labelled as antibiotics of a broader spectrum. On the other hand, meds which can work on one strand of the microbe are called antibiotics of a narrow spectrum.
While taking probiotic or antibiotic meds, it is essential to adhere to all instructions of your caregiving team. Some users may take a larger dose (of a higher strength than what was prescribed) to bring about a quicker cure. This usage is considered unsafe and can lead to severe side effects. Users who consumed an overdose of antibiotic med may develop adverse reactions such as pain in lower abdomen, nausea along with vomiting, gastric problems like formation of gas, etc. In a few one-off instances, an overdosed condition has also triggered inflammation of oral parts, internal bruising or bleeding.
On witnessing any of these side effects or adverse reactions, you are advised to consult with your treating doctor without delay. Residents of US need to dial 911 as quickly as possible. You may also reach out to the US-based federal drug clearance body – food and drug administration (FDA) which runs its own helpdesk to handle such medical emergencies. In sum, it is a safe practice to take probiotics – along with or without antibiotics – under the guidance of a qualified clinical professional.
Education: Master’s in Nursing (MSN) from Johns Hopkins University. Experience: 7 years writing for online health portals and nursing journals, specializing in patient education and chronic illness management.
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